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MUSIC AND THEATRE VENUE: Workers put the finishing touches to the newly built Soweto Theatre in Jabulani, Soweto.

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THE Jabulani Amphitheatre was the main attraction before the newly built Soweto Theatre.

The amphitheatre still stands 60 years later beside the new and world class creative arena that will open its doors today.

The history and heritage of Soweto will continue on the three stages of the boxed theatre that boasts a 436-seat main venue with an end stage, fully provided with wings, orchestra pit, fly tower and buttress.

It has two smaller venues of 190 and 90 seats, an indoor foyer area that connects all three venues, multi-level change-rooms, storage rooms, a greenroom and an outdoor covered plaza that will serve as an additional informal performing space.

Looking back into the colourful life of the amphitheatre, Soweto's greats shared their fondest memories of a place they still hold close to their hearts.

Playwright and director Sam Mhangwane of the 1960s theatre hit Unfaithful Woman said: "We used to hold music festivals at the amphitheatre. It was a good place, especially for traditional music, conveniently located next to a hostel."

Mhangwane said that the concerts featured the likes of Johnny Clegg, Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, Chicco and Yvonne Chaka-Chaka.

"The place was always spilling over with people. I miss the hub of music that kept us away from the streets." He said the youth of today need a culture of festivals so that they stop indulging in crime.

Mhangwane said the opening of the Soweto Theatre was long overdue.

Music executive Peter Tladi, who recorded great artists such as Brenda Fassie and Rebecca Malope, said: "Big shows used to happen there. Come Sunday, we all knew that African venue where one could enjoy tradition."

Of the new landmark, Tladi said that it was an effort to bring the theatre to the people in the township.

"It was problematic going into town for theatre. Transport was the biggest disadvantage," he said. "Now all we need is good writers to write about us and celebrate us while we're still alive. I would like to go to the theatre myself."

Welcome Msomi, accomplished author, playwright and director, said: "Jabulani theatre was popular with rallies and theatre. There were no big theatres in Soweto that were well equipped, so if you needed a crowd, that's where you would go. My play Umabatha (an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth in isiZulu) first showed there."

Msomi said the new theatre will enable young playwrights and directors to stage their productions on a professional stage and hopes the people of Soweto will enjoy a Market Theatre-type experience. "Sowetans will view stories about themselves and new ones that will inspire the youth," he said.

• If you go to the theatre, please share your experience with us. We'd like to hear your reviews of the venue as well as the performances. You can also send us photos of yourselves and your friends enjoying the theatre outing... Email tellus@sowetan.co.za 

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Sat May 18 19:27:43 SAST 2013 ::

May 25, 2012

truthhurt

Soweto, Soweto. so where to? I am sick of it, what about other townships?

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May 25, 2012

ApelMankotsana

I am not taking anything away from this article but i am just worried that today is Africa Day and there is not even an article by Sowetan on the day's celebration. The AU which was founded in 2002 in South Africa is celebrating its 10th year of existence, yet Sowetan wrote no article about this two important issue of African continent....
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May 25, 2012

Pointman

The arts are important - they provide a way to express our frustrations with idiotic politicians, our sorrows and joy too. Art advances our civilization except when they are bastardised by racism, ideology and ignorance.
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May 25, 2012

kurt23

ohhhhhhhhh!.....nt again....soweto again!?.....fok maaan....im tired of this ish
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May 25, 2012

RobinH

Pointman: I agree. If only people could broaden their notion of art, so that artists are not subjected to the idiotic and counter-productive puppetry that accompanied Brett Murray's satirical work. Art is not merely there to please the senses of the mindless. It is there to challenge... challenge notions of art, notions of social interaction (that is, politics), any preconcieved dogma. Please let us not water down what was a very dynamic arts culture in South Africa by presenting only feelgood wallpaper for the intellectually lazy.
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May 25, 2012

LeeuKo

You cannot keep on ignoring other Townships ,Mamelodi & others also contributed to the struggle Man!!
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May 25, 2012

Maikutlo6

Why is everything in Soweto mare?????????? What about Duduza and Thokoza
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May 25, 2012

BLACK_SHAAGAAN_MAN

SOWETAN.......rather be a Soweto local township news paper im sick of you and your Soweto headlines.
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May 25, 2012

Chillis

SOWETO!!!!
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May 25, 2012

ncagumbuduma

Bitter people. They are reading Sowetan yet they complain about SOWETO. If something is happening in your lousy township, they will write about it in your lousy local newspaper. For now let SOWETO shine.
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